Lindsey Vonn’s sister Karin Kildow has addressed the Winter Olympic star’s shocking crash

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Lindsey Vonn is airlifted away after a crash during an alpine ski women’s downhill race(Image: AP)

Lindsey Vonn’s sister has broken her silence after the Team USA skiing legend’s horrific crash at the Winter Olympics, which saw her airlifted to hospital. She confirmed that Vonn’s surgeon is on site and will be travelling to the medical facility.

Vonn, 41, was competing in her first Olympics in eight years at Milan Cortina, just days after completely rupturing the ACL in her left knee. The Team USA legend made a remarkable return to competition last year after a five-year absence but her dreams turned to disaster during Sunday morning’s downhill alpine event.

The American superstar appeared to lose her balance after hitting the gate with her right arm, sending her careering right whilst in mid-air. As she tried to recover, she crashed to the ground at high speed, collapsing in a heap on the snow.

Her screams pierced the unsettling silence, with organisers forced to play background music to cover the lack of noise, as shocked spectators sat motionless in the stands.

After what seemed like an eternity, she was placed into a medical bag before being transported to hospital by helicopter.

The sight of the yellow helicopter and Vonn’s red bag against the white backdrop of the snow-covered mountains left viewers around the world watching in horror.

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Lindsey Vonn was airlifted to hospital(Image: GETTY)

Speaking afterwards to USA Today, Vonn’s sister Karin Kildow said she was aware of all the risks and was simply pushing her boundaries. Kildow also reassured fans that Vonn was being looked after by the best medical team possible.

“I mean that definitely was the last thing we wanted to see and it happened quick and when that happens, you’re just immediately hoping she’s okay,” she said.

“And it was scary because when you start to see the stretchers being put out, it’s not a good sign.

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Lindsey Vonn suffered a shocking fall on Sunday(Image: GETTY)

“But she really … she just dared greatly and she put it all out there. So it’s really hard to see but we just really hope she’s okay.

“She does have all of her surgeons and her PT staff here and her doctors, so I’m sure they’ll give us a report and we’ll meet her at whatever hospital she’s at.”

After a lengthy delay while the course remained closed, Vonn’s fellow American Breezy Johnson secured Team USA’s first medal of the Winter Olympics, finishing in 1:36:10 to take gold – the first American to do so since Vonn herself.